BERRYVILLE, Ark. – Online registration for the 2014 Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die State IDPA Championship opens today, Monday, July 21, at noon eastern time at www.MatchReg.com.

Hosted again by the Pioneer Sportsmen Club in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, last year’s Live Free Or Die sold out in record time. Match officials expect another sell out this year and encourage IDPA members to register as early as possible once online registration goes live at noon. The match will take place October 17-19, 2014.

In addition to determining the state title, the Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die will also serve as the final leg of the popular King of New England contest presented by Apex Tactical Specialties. The 18th Annual Massachusetts State Championship and the New England Regional, both also sponsored by Smith & Wesson, make up the first and second legs, respectively, of the series.

Companies interested in sponsoring the Live Free Or Die State Championship should contact the sponsorship coordinator at psi.sponsorship@gmail.com.

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) announced that CZ-USA has signed on as one of the major sponsors of the 2014 IDPA U.S. National Championship.

CZ-USA joins ACADEMI, Blade-Tech, Brownells, Comp-Tac, GLOCK, Harris Publications, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Smith & Wesson and Wilson Combat as a gold level sponsor of the championship which takes place September 9 thru 13 at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The match is expected to draw over 300 of the sport’s top shooters.

“IDPA is very pleased to again be working with CZ-USA as a major sponsor of our U.S. Nationals. With the generous support of companies like CZ-USA, IDPA is able to provide our members with a world-class championship event,” said Robert Ray, membership and marketing director for IDPA.

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) announced that Blade-Tech Industries, the leading manufacturer of custom production thermoplastic and injection molded concealment and competition holsters, has signed on as a returning sponsor of the IDPA U.S. National Championship.

“We’re very pleased to welcome back Blade-Tech as a major sponsor of the 2014 U.S. Nationals. Several IDPA matches around the country have benefited from the generous support of Blade-Tech, which has helped IDPA continue to grow, and their support for our national championship events has helped make them among the best in the shooting sports,” said Robert Ray, membership and marketing director for IDPA.

Blade-Tech joins ACADEMI, Brownells, Comp-Tac, GLOCK, Harris Publications, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Smith & Wesson and Wilson Combat as a gold level sponsor of the championship which takes place September 9 thru 13 at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The match is expected to draw over 300 of the sport’s top shooters.

“As the shooting sports grow in popularity, it is our honor to partner with IDPA and sponsor such a premier quality match. IDPA is a leader in the world of competitive shooting sports and Blade-Tech is proud to be one of the most popular holsters used in the sport,” said Ryan Preece, media relations manager for Blade-Tech.

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – A new Industry Intelligence Report based on the results of a survey conducted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) shows that U.S. IDPA members deliver significant economic impact by spending upwards of $30 million annually on shooting equipment for the sport.

The report, titled Profile of International Defensive Pistol Association Shooters, provides a look at the target shooting-related habits and expenditures of IDPA’s U.S. members. In addition to the $30 million spent annually by IDPA shooters on their sport, the report shows that approximately 91% of members hold a concealed carry permit while 14% are concealed carry instructors in their state.

“Thanks to the help of the research team at the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry now has a clear, in-depth look at the profile of a typical U.S. IDPA member. Competitive shooters represent some of the most active purchasers when it comes to firearms and related gear, and this new Industry Intelligence Report from NSSF bears that out,” said Joyce Wilson, executive director of IDPA.

“NSSF’s research into the habits of recreational target shooters shows that their economic impact is considerable. When we delve further into the pool of target shooters and look at those dedicated to competition, as we have with the IDPA shooter, we find that recreational shooting is very much a lifestyle and the resulting economic impact is substantial,” said NSSF Research Coordinator Dianne Vrablic, who headed up this project.

In addition to the overall $30 million economic impact of IDPA’s U.S. members, the report also shows that:

More than six in 10 IDPA members indicated that they are likely to purchase a handgun in the coming year.

More than six in 10 respondents indicated that they reload ammunition, primarily for handgun and rifle. A smaller percent age of participants also reload for shotgun.

More than seven in 10 respondents are members of a shooting range and pay an average annual membership fee of $163.

More than 5 in 10 IDPA members surveyed indicated that they compete in IDPA events 6 to 20 times per year, with 14 events being the average number of IDPA matches/events attended annually.

Based on the responses from IDPA members, the average amount of estimated 2013 expenditures for competitive shooting equipment totaled $1,580.83. Equipment includes firearms, accessories, reloading equipment and components.

While IDPA members shop in a wide variety of locations for shooting-related merchandise, the top two locations indicated in this survey were “online” (7 in 10 respondents) and “independent gun store” (5 in 10 respondents).

To download the full NSSF Industry Intelligence Report, Profile of International Defensive Pistol Association Shooters, visit this website. For more information on IDPA or to become a members, visit www.IDPA.com.

About NSSF: The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 10,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.

About International Defensive Pistol Association: Founded in 1996, the International Defensive Pistol Association is the international governing body for IDPA competition which offers shooters a fun, safe, and challenging format to practice and test their gun handling skills through defensive-based scenarios. Today IDPA stands as the fastest growing shooting sport in the United States with nearly 24,000 members from all 50 states and 54 foreign countries. IDPA's 300 affiliated clubs offer weekly and monthly matches as well as host major championships.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – One of the longest ongoing supporters of the International Defensive Pistol Association, the 162-year-old firearms maker, Smith & Wesson, is once again sponsoring IDPA’s annual U.S. National Championship.

“This marks the 18th year that Smith & Wesson has sponsored IDPA’s national championship match, continuing one of the longest and most productive sponsor relationships in the shooting sports. We’re very pleased to once again be working with Smith & Wesson to bring our members another great championship event,” said Joyce Wilson, executive director for IDPA.

Smith & Wesson joins ACADEMI, Brownells, Comp-Tac, GLOCK, Harris Publications, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Wilson Combat as a gold level sponsor of the championship which takes place September 9 thru 13 at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The match is expected to draw over 300 of the sport’s top shooters.

“Smith & Wesson has always supported the shooting sports, whether it’s sponsoring matches, supporting shooting organizations or fielding a team of sponsored shooters. We’re very proud to be a longtime partner with IDPA and look forward to continuing that relationship for many years to come,” said Paul Pluff of Smith & Wesson.

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – Houston-based holster maker Comp-Tac Victory Gear will be a returning sponsor of IDPA’s annual U.S. National Championship according to an announcement by the International Defensive Pistol Association.

Comp-Tac joins ACADEMI, Brownells, GLOCK, Harris Publications, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Wilson Combat as a gold level sponsor of the championship which takes place September 9 thru 13 at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The match is expected to draw over 300 of the sport’s top shooters.

“Comp-Tac continues to support IDPA at all levels and we’re extremely pleased to once again be working with them as a major sponsor of the 2014 U.S. Nationals,” said Joyce Wilson, executive director for IDPA.

“Attending the IDPA U.S. Nationals as a sponsor offers Comp-Tac one of the best opportunities to meet one on one with our customers through our vendor booth. We get to speak directly with our end user, getting their valuable insights on both the competition and concealed carry gear we offer. This is a great event which we are proud to sponsor and we look forward to it every year,” said Randi Rogers, sales and marketing manager for Comp-Tac.

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) announced that ACADEMI, a leading, privately-held training and security solutions provider serving government and commercial customers worldwide, has again signed on as a major sponsor of IDPA’s U.S. National Championship.

“Once again IDPA is partnering with ACADEMI to bring our members one of the best championship events in the shooting sports. We’re very grateful for the continued, generous sponsor support we receive from ACADEMI because it helps us further expand shooting opportunities,” said Robert Ray, membership and marketing director for IDPA.

ACADEMI joins Brownells, GLOCK, Harris Publications, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Wilson Combat as a gold level sponsor of the championship which takes place September 9 thru 13 at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The match is expected to draw over 300 of the sport’s top shooters.

“ACADEMI is proud to support IDPA as it continues to provide the highest-level of sport shooting competition. As a provider of elite firearms training, ACADEMI values the community of excellence IDPA has built in the shooting community,” said Pete van Hooser, Vice President of ACADEMI Training Services.

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – Following last year’s wildly successful Live Free Or Die state match, Pioneer Sportsmen Club in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, has announced that the Blockbuster-themed 2014 Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die State IDPA Championship will take place October 17, 18 and 19.

In addition to determining the state title, the championship will also serve as the final leg of the popular King of New England contest. The 18th Annual Massachusetts State Championship and the New England Regional, both sponsored by Smith & Wesson, make up the first and second legs, respectively, of the series.

“IDPA at Pioneer has seen tremendous growth since the program was revamped last year and we’re continuing those efforts this year. Thanks once again to the generous support of title sponsor Smith & Wesson, the 2014 Live Free Or Die State IDPA Championship is a must attend event for New Hampshire’s expanding IDPA community,” said Jon Wolfe, match director for the championship.

Last year’s championship sold-out in record time and shooters are encouraged to mark their calendars. Online registration for the 2014 Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die State IDPA Championship will take place on Monday, July 21 at www.MatchReg.com.

“There is no doubt that IDPA is thriving in New Hampshire and that is thanks to the hardworking volunteers at Pioneer Sportsmen Club who have built a great program and given New England an exciting new championship match no shooter wants to miss. Smith & Wesson is happy to contribute to the ongoing success of IDPA in the New England region,” said Paul Pluff of Smith & Wesson.

Companies interested in sponsoring the Live Free Or Die State Championship should contact the sponsorship coordinator at psi.sponsorship@gmail.com.

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – GLOCK, the nation’s leading pistol provider to American law enforcement agencies and maker of some of the most popular pistols used in the shooting sports, has returned as a major sponsor of IDPA’s annual U.S. National Championship.

“The list of supporters of the IDPA U.S. Nationals reads like a Who’s Who of the shooting industry and chief among them is GLOCK. Thanks to their continued generosity IDPA continues to be the fastest growing shooting sport. We’re proud to once again be working with GLOCK to bring our members another great championship event,” said Robert Ray, membership and marketing director for IDPA.

GLOCK joins Brownells, Harris Publications, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Wilson Combat as a gold level sponsor of the championship which takes place September 9 thru 13 at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The match is expected to draw over 300 of the sport’s top shooters.

“GLOCK is proud to support the U.S. National Championship," said Josh Dorsey, VP of Sales and Marketing for GLOCK, Inc., "The IDPA competition realistically portrays the scenarios and the processes of dealing with situations you might face in real life. Competitors should have the opportunity to experience and excel at all levels here and we wish them all the best at the event.”

For more information on IDPA, or to join the nearly 24,000 IDPA members competing each week, visit www.IDPA.com.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Following on the success of last year’s state championship, Sacramento Defensive Pistol Shooters (www.sdps-idpa.org) will again host the California State IDPA Championship which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 4, 2014.

Held at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center (www.sacvalley.org), this fully sanctioned Tier 3 championship event will consist of 11 stages and is limited to 175 total competitors holding a current IDPA classification of Marksman or higher. Registration for the 2014 California State IDPA Championship is currently open to competitors, as well for those seeking to work the match as staff.

The state’s top shooters will compete for the five IDPA division titles as well as Most Accurate, High Lady, High Junior, High Senior, High Distinguished Senior, High Industry, High Press, High International, High Military and High Law Enforcement honors. In addition to trophies, prizes will be awarded by a random draw open to all competitors.

Ideally located in the heart of central California, the setting for the 2014 California State IDPA Championship is just a few hours from several popular Golden State destinations including the California wine country, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and, of course, Lake Tahoe. Shooters are encouraged to take advantage of their time in the area to extend their stay and visit these tourist destinations.

IDPA members looking to compete in the match should register early as slots are sure to fill up fast for this premier defensive pistol match. For more information on the 2014 California State IDPA Championship, or to register, please visit the match website at http://sdps-idpa.org/2014/index.html.